Klopp: Liverpool’s history ‘feels like a back-pack at times’

Oli Fisher

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes he saw a more composed side to his players in the record-breaking 7-0 Champions League win in Maribor.

Two goals apiece from Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino and further efforts from Philippe Coutinho, a first club strike from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Trent Alexander-Arnold completed the Reds’ best away victory in Europe.

After one win in eight matches, having created but not converted numerous chances, Klopp saw signs they had learned from their experience.

“How we finished these situations was good, we were cool enough,” he said of their goalscoring feat against the shambolic Slovenian champions.

“Often this season we have been alone in the box and not relaxed enough to play the right pass but this was different.

“We showed how good we can be and we never gave up. It was a good all-round performance. It has to be to win 7-0 of course.”

Klopp felt the win would help lift some of the anxiety, which was growing after a difficult September.

“It will give the players a lot of confidence,” he added.

“I was told about the record after the game and I didn’t know about it.

“The wonderful history of this club can feel like a back-pack at times so it is nice to write our own good piece of the history.

“It will be difficult to beat that record. It is quite rare to win 7-0 but it showed we did unbelievably well.”

Maribor coach Darko Milanic, who had a horrendous 32 days in charge of Leeds in 2014, admitted his side just did not cope well with the early pressure.

“The boys didn’t look like themselves and after 20 minutes we had three goals against,” he said.

“It was very difficult for the players.”